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Philosophy of History is an essential introduction to a vast body of writing about history, from classical Greece and Rome to the modern world. M.C. Lemon maps out key debates and central concepts of philosophy of history, placing principal thinkers in the context of their times and schools of thought. Lemon explains the crucial differences between speculative philosophy as an enquiry into the content of history, and analytic philosophy of history as relating to the methods of history. The first two parts of the book trace each of these traditions, whereas the third part revisits both in the light of recent contributions to the discipline.
This guide provides a comprehensive survey of historical thought since ancient times. Its clear terminology and lucid argument will make it an invaluable source for students and teachers alike.
List of contents
Introduction PART 1 Speculative philosophy of history 1 Speculative philosophy of history: what is it and why study it? 2 Pre-classical ideas on ‘history’ 3 Classical Greek and Roman speculations on history 4 The Christian challenge to Graeco-Roman historical perspectives 5 A changing consciousness of history: the Renaissance and Machiavelli 6 An innovative interlude: from Machiavelli to Vico 7 Vico’s philosophy of history 8 Speculative philosophy of history during the Enlightenment 9 Hegel’s philosophy of history 10 Marx on history PART II Analytic philosophy of history 11 Analytic philosophy of history: what is it and why study it? 12 The ‘what is history?’ debate 13 What is history for? PART III The end of history? 14 The end of history? The postmodernist challenge 15 The End of History? Fukuyama’s speculative philosophy of history
About the author
M.C. Lemon is a lecturer in the history of political thought and political theory at the University of Ulster. His past publications include The Discipline of History and the History of Thought (1995).
Summary
This guide provides a comprehensive survey of historical thought since ancient times. Its clear terminology and lucid argument will make it an invaluable source for students and teachers alike.
